Damian Donath
Department of Biochemistry, University of Dar es Salaam-Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania, Mbeya, Tanzania.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2025 Jan;25(1):1-13. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2024.0052. Epub 2024 Aug 14.
The emergence and spread of infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic diseases originating from wildlife, pose significant threats to global health and economy. This review examines the pivotal role of ticks as vectors in transmitting pathogens to humans, livestock, and wildlife and the use of molecular techniques in their identification. Tick infestations result in economic losses through reduced animal productivity, anemia, and quality deterioration of hides. Furthermore, ticks serve as reservoirs for a wide range of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes, contributing to the transmission of diseases such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, tick-borne encephalitis, and African swine fever among others. The interface between wildlife, livestock, and humans facilitates the transmission of zoonotic pathogens, exacerbated by nomadic and pastoralist lifestyles that promote interactions between wildlife and domestic animals. This movement of animals across landscapes enhances the dispersion of tick vectors, increasing the risk of pathogen exposure for diverse populations. Historically, tick identification in sub-Saharan Africa has relied on morphological characteristics despite limitations such as species overlap and variability. Molecular techniques offer a more precise means of species identification, providing critical data for effective tick and pathogen management strategies. Integrating molecular approaches into tick research enhances our understanding of tick diversity, distribution patterns, and pathogen dynamics. This knowledge is essential for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of tick-borne diseases on public and veterinary health worldwide.
传染病的出现和传播，尤其是源自野生动物的人畜共患病，对全球健康和经济构成重大威胁。本综述探讨了蜱作为病原体传播媒介在将病原体传播给人类、家畜和野生动物方面的关键作用，以及分子技术在蜱类鉴定中的应用。蜱虫侵扰会导致动物生产力下降、贫血以及兽皮质量恶化，从而造成经济损失。此外，蜱是多种病原体的宿主，包括病毒、细菌、真菌、原生动物和线虫，它们会传播诸如克里米亚-刚果出血热、蜱传脑炎和非洲猪瘟等疾病。野生动物、家畜和人类之间的接触促进了人畜共患病原体的传播，游牧和牧民生活方式加剧了这种传播，因为这些生活方式促进了野生动物与家畜之间的互动。动物在不同地域的移动增加了蜱虫传播媒介的扩散，提高了不同人群接触病原体的风险。历史上，撒哈拉以南非洲地区的蜱虫鉴定一直依赖形态特征，尽管存在物种重叠和变异性等局限性。分子技术提供了一种更精确的物种鉴定方法，为有效的蜱虫和病原体管理策略提供关键数据。将分子方法整合到蜱虫研究中，能增强我们对蜱虫多样性、分布模式和病原体动态的理解。这些知识对于制定有针对性的干预措施以减轻蜱传疾病对全球公共卫生和兽医健康的影响至关重要。
